Haunted Angel

A/N: This is the last chapter that I have prepared to upload. Unfortunately, this will be the last update for awhile. I'm in need of a break from this story before I get to the stage were I am so totally sick of it that I no longer write it properly. However, if you like this fict, I am currently undergoing an experimental fict that is practically written off the top of head. Its ratings are a tad higher than this one, but I'm not sure if it will come to that… It's just there in case… Well, without any further ado, chapter seven, Embellishments. I hope you enjoy it and it gives you an insight into what Harry has been up the past six years.

Harry awoke that morning or afternoon actually, with a start. He'd slept in, which wasn't that surprising seeing as last night, he'd been kept up by his thoughts about Hermione. The only other time he'd been so wound up about her was the night before her and Ron's wedding. Since then, he had often wondered why they had gotten married. They were so different from one another.

Reluctantly, he got out of bed, not caring about the cold. He didn't feel like work today and he didn't have to go if he didn't want to. He was his own boss anyway. Instead, he felt like wasting the day away with the alcohol that he had for when the occasion called for it.

Oh yeah, the occasion definitely called for it.

He began dressing, pulling on a pair of jeans, a white polo shirt and a black jacket. Just as he was about to grab a bottle of beer out the fridge, he noticed the flashing red light of his answering machine.

“Kate…” he muttered to himself, knowing that Kate, his receptionist would have called the Scottish Guard by now. The woman was constantly paranoid that if Harry hadn't arrived at work by nine, something grave had happened to him.

“You have… thirty…six new messages.” The mechanical voice of the machine loyally told him. Harry glanced at his watch; it was 12:30.

“Only 36 Kate?” He said to an invisible Kate, “Last time I slept this late you left 43 messages! I wouldn't want you slacking off now would I?”

He played back a few of the messages, knowing that they'd all be much the same.

“Harry, where are you? Please ring me…” Kate's frantic voice said, followed by a tone and a similar message. Harry did what he was told and assured the woman he'd be at work soon.

Kate didn't sound too pleased with him.

But she had every right to be angry with him. Harry ran an infamous business that included a range of lawyers and solicitors. Except, these weren't your average lawyers. The people that worked for Harry were only seen in the highest of the High Court dealing with cases of high profile murder, drug allegations and many other cases that dealt with the shady side of London.

In his line of work, it was common for people to hold grudges and Harry noticed that a lot of people could and did go missing.

Kate had every reason to be worried about her boss.

Many people thought he was insane working with such a dangerous business and wondered why he did what he did. This meant that Harry had to control trying not to laugh in their faces. They were Muggles and had no idea of who the real Harry Potter was and the feats that he had overcome.

All that they knew was that the raven-haired man before them believed strongly in justice and couldn't stand seeing the guilty walk free. It also made him a good target for those who held a grudge against him and the people who worked for him.

But his job wasn't all risks; there were some pluses.

First and foremost, it was an escape from Hermione and the nightmares of Voldemort. Also, it was how he had met Celicia, who worked as his personal assistant. But now, Kate had taken over Celicia's job temporarily while Celicia was on maternity leave. Harry truly missed Celicia; she brought a brightness to his job that was otherwise boring, gloomy and time consuming.

Then there was Kate.

Kate lived in the same building of flats as Harry and it was there that they had met. For awhile they had dated each other, but Harry couldn't help but see Kate only as an overprotective and motherly friend and it hadn't lasted long. In many a way, Kate reminded Harry of Mrs. Weasley, which had made the pair closer.

Thinking of Mrs. Weasley automatically made Harry think of Ron and ultimately, Hermione.

Maybe, he had better get to work quickly before he changed his mind about drowning himself in his own sorrow and self-pity.

Celicia stepped out of her husband's office with a heavy sigh. Without realizing it, her hand rested on her swollen belly. Soon their child would come, and when it did, her secret would become apparent.

Coming here today, had just been an excuse. Shamefully, Celicia had had an ulterior motive to seeing her doting husband.

Ron was going to come and see Hermione at any moment now, bearing with him more bad news for the unfortunate woman.

Just as she opened the door leading out of Hermione's department, Celicia spotted him. Green eyes met blue and Celicia gave him a curt nod and went on. When she rounded the corner, she leant against the wall and sunk to the floor, sobs racking through her delicate body.

She couldn't stand lying to Draco and knowing Hermione's pain before she even felt it anymore.

It wasn't fair!

Ron swallowed and ran a hand through his hair uncomfortably. Seeing Celicia had unnerved him. He stared absently at the parchment in his hands and scolded himself for forgetting why he was really here. This morning he had received an owl explaining to him what he had to do. The parchment in his hands was more bad news for Hermione. In fact, it was bad news for her and Draco Malfoy…

Hermione watched Celicia leave in a dreamy state, her hand protectively placed on her enlarged stomach. Hermione couldn't help but feel jealous towards the woman. She was stunningly beautiful and was the one thing that Hermione had wanted so desperately:

Pregnant.

But before her mind could wander with jealous banter, Hermione could hear Bonnie talking frostily to a visitor. Pretending to act busy, Hermione became curious as to whom her secretary was talking to. She turned her back to the door, bending down to pick up the last of the stray pieces of paper Draco had made a mess of.

“Hey `Mione,” Hermione stiffened. She knew that voice all too well. She got up from the floor and turned to face Ron.

“Ron! What a surprise!” she acknowledged he ex-husband with a falsely bright smile.

“Umm… I have the divorce papers, if you want to sign them.” He told her, shuffling his feet all the while staring at the floor. Somehow, Hermione figured, he was here for more than just the signing of the divorce papers.

“Great, let's see them.”

What was it with her and fake smiles today?

In an instant the papers were signed. Hermione was finally free. Funny, only two days ago she had been struggling to keep her marriage intact.

Getting a divorce in the magical realm was much different to that of the Muggle's. Even though divorce was frowned on, the maximum waiting period was four days and once you had signed the papers it was final.

“Thanks Ron, good luck to you.” Hermione told him, this time managing a true smile. Ron only managed a weak smile.

“Um… yeah… Look, I'm really sorry `Mione.” He murmured, handing her a large piece of parchment and leaving quickly.

“Bye,” she muttered quietly to herself, glancing down at the parchment.

Wait.

No, it couldn't be.

Hermione glanced at the parchment again, only just realizing what its implications meant.

“Ronald Weasley!”

A pair of green eyes winced.

Draco Malfoy sat dumbstruck, shocked at the news his wife had just given him. She'd informed him that she'd just been to the Obstetrician, which she had explained to him was a Muggle doctor who specialized in unborn babies by taking ultrasounds and things like that. Draco had had no idea what an ultrasound was but when Celicia had patiently explained that to him as well, he couldn't help but be amazed.

Celicia knew what their baby looked like.

And, they were going to have a little girl.

His own daughter.

…And, he was going to see what she looked like tomorrow.

He was shocked, nervous and excited all at once, much like he had been when Celicia had first told him she was pregnant.

It was then that he heard Hermione's wail.